TPS braces for cuts

If changes aren’t made by the Legislature, school budgets could suffer a 10 percent reduction.

By TRAVINA COLEMAN

A laundry list of potential budget cuts was discussed by Tahlequah Public School board members Monday night as they braced for district-wide belt-tightening.

TPS Superintendent Shannon Goodsell said that although it’s not definitive, the list is a rough draft of suggestions that could come into play if the school’s budget gets any worse.

“We are already implementing some of the ideas, like with energy savings by adjusting thermostats to heat and cool the buildings in an effort to save on utility costs, and issuing better controls on the volume of copy paper used,” said Goodsell.

He indicated that depending on how things go in the state Legislature this year, TPS could face anywhere from a 3 percent to a 10 percent budget cut.

“This is not a fun list,” Goodsell said. “But the goal is to be prepared for the worst and have a game plan, and then hope for the best.”

TPS is facing a 10 percent reduction in state funding, which could mean cuts as drastic as going to a four-day school week or the elimination of pre-kindergarten altogether.

However, if the budget is cut by only 3 percent, reductions could be less drastic – like consolidating activity buses where both male and female student athletes would ride together to games.

Another option, under the 3 percent cut, would be to decrease site budgets for the 2010-’11 school year.

“Right now, our legislators are working towards only a 3 percent cut,” Goodsell said. “But it has to pass first. The only thing we are guaranteed is the 10 percent cut right now.”

Goodsell stressed the district will make adjustments that will have the least impact on students.

Jeff Thorne, Tahlequah High School principal, said he is already working frugally with the $9,000 budget he currently has.

“It’s dependent on the number of students each site has,” he said. “We have to be very careful with the money this year. And who knows, next year’s budget could be worse.”

In other business, the board approved the resignation of Monica McCrary, a teacher; and approved the transfer of Joyce Stinnet from cafeteria manager to cashier. Mike Wolf was transferred from cook to cafeteria manager; Ken Clayton was hired as a bus driver; and Tonya McCully was reassigned from cashier to cook, effective Feb. 4.

The board tabled naming of the new elementary school.